A trade that has has reportedly been in the works for over a week is now completed. The Kansas City Royals took over an infielder Jonathan India from the Cincinnati Reds for right-handed people Brady Singerthe team announced. Kansas City is also getting an outfielder Joey Wiemer in a 2:1 exchange.
India and Singer were college teammates at the University of Florida from 2016 to 2018 and won the College World Series together in 2017. Both were first-round picks in 2018 as well. The Reds selected India as number 3. The Royals took Singer with the No. 18 pick. Now they have been exchanged for each other.
Kansas City desperately needs on-base skills and India, the 2021 NL rookie of the Year, has slashed .248/.357/.392 with 15 homers in 2024. He has a career on-base percentage of .352. India has played second base exclusively as a big leaguer, indicating the incumbent Michael Massey will move to another position, perhaps third base.
India, 28 next month, was an obvious candidate for an offseason trade given Cincinnati's infield depth. The Reds will continue Elly De La Cruz in short, a healthy one Matt McLain second and a combination of Jeimer Candelario, Santiago EspinalAnd Noelvi Marte at third base. India cannot become a free agent until after the 2026 season.
With Singer, the Reds get a ground-ball pitcher who has a tendency to give up home runs when hitters get the ball in the air. The 28-year-old had a 3.71 ERA in 2024 with league-average strikeout and walk rates. He has thrown at least 150 innings in each of the last three years, which qualifies him as a workhorse these days. Like India, Singer still has two years to maintain control.
The top of Kansas City's rotation is set Seth Lugo, Cole RagansAnd Michael Wacha. Alec Marsh And Kyle Wright are currently the top candidates to round out the starting eleven. Singer is expected to take part Hunter Greene, Nick Martínez, Andrew Abbottand either Nick Lodolo And Rhett Lowder in Cincinnati's rotation.
The 25-year-old Wiemer spent most of last season in Triple-A with the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. He hit at .224/.351/.312. Wiemer is a .201/.279/.349 hitter in the major leagues, despite possessing great raw power and being a gifted defender. The Royals didn't get much offense from their outfield in 2024. Wiemer is a worthwhile throw.
The Reds originally acquired Wiemer from the Brewers Frankie Montas Trade and this summer's deadline.
